UE925 - SOCSCI 101 - Introduction to evolutionary anthropology

This course aims to present the main concepts and tools needed to study cognition in evolutionary terms. Students will understand the major mechanisms of evolution and become familiar with the methods of evolutionary biology. A wide variety of examples from the animal world will be used to understand the general logic of evolutionary thinking and be able to apply it to the human species. The course will focus on the social domain, but also will address issues such as sex, learning or cultural differences.

1. Introduction to evolution and natural selection applied to social behaviour

2. Introduction to behavioral ecology

3. Competing for resources: evolutionary game theory

4. Phenotypic plasticity: explaining variability of behaviour

5. Life history theory: childhood, senescence, reproduction strategies

6. Kinship and the evolution of altruism within the family

7. Mating, reproduction, and conflicts within the family

8. The evolution of cooperation outside the family

9. The evolution of communication and signaling

10. Dominance and hierarchies

11. Social norms and collective actions

12. The emergence of institutions: group selection or individual selection?